Attitudes towards the use of psychedelic drugs to treat mental health conditions: Interviews

This is part 2 in a series of projects, led by BehaviourWorks Australia in collaboration with the Neuromedicines Discovery Centre (NDC), to explore attitudes of Australian adults, organisations and politicians towards the use of psychedelic drugs to treat mental health conditions in medically supervised environments.

Research into the use of psychedelic drugs as medication to treat mental health conditions alongside other treatments (e.g. talking therapies or psychotherapies) is increasing. The NDC is particularly interested in exploring attitudes of Australian adults towards the use of psychedelics (such as MDMA, an active ingredient in Ecstasy, and psilocybin, an active ingredient in magic mushrooms) as approved therapeutics for the treatment of chronic mental health concerns.

For this second part of the study, we interviewed 13 representatives from relevant organisations and political parties to capture and measure their attitudes and beliefs towards the use of psychedelic drugs to treat mental health conditions.

What did we do?

In late 2022 and early 2023, we interviewed 13 representatives from relevant organisations and political parties. The interviews were conducted in an online or phone call format, with each interview lasting 30-45 minutes.

Interview participants were either employed in a senior role or had sufficient knowledge to comment on their organisation's or political party’s position on the use of psychedelic drugs to treat mental health conditions.

4 were past or present state or federal politicians,
4 were medical or psychological peak body representatives,
3 were healthcare service providers and advocates,
1 was a union representative, and
1 was a consumer representative.

By design, politicians were Victorian or had experience in Victorian politics.

‍

What did we find?

Three major themes came out of these interviews:

Attitudes towards research and future use of psychedelic drugs to treat mental health conditions were ‘cautiously optimistic’
There is a sense of ‘need’ and enthusiasm for research to improve understanding and support of the use of psychedelics to treat mental health conditions
The negative stigma associated with psychedelic drugs has prevented politicians from supporting their use, however, many politicians suggest that research delivered directly to them in an evidence-based manner can support them to understand the area better and be more open to discussion.

‍

What comes next?

The findings of this report have come at a good time, as the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved the use of MDMA and psilocybin for the treatment of PTSD and treatment-resistant depression, respectively, on 3 February 2023. The time between 4 February and 1 July, 2023, is the time to prime key organisations and the community for the introduction of psychedelic medicines.

Organisations and politicians are ‘cautiously optimistic’ about the medicines, so now is the time to shift cautious optimism to optimism and support. To do this, well-designed messages must be communicated in the right way, to the right people and now. The messages need to be clear, evidence-based, informative and (for some audiences, like politicians and those against the medicines) emotive. The right people to receive the message include those involved directly (e.g. patients and clinicians) and indirectly (e.g. politicians, drug producers and educators) in the treatment administration. The right people to deliver the message are those who people trust, like doctors and scientists.

‍

Download the full report below for an in-depth read:

Download report

‍

Citation

Kunstler, B., Hatty, M., Smith, L., Goodwin, D., Wright, B. & Langmead, C. “We're cautiously optimistic”: A practice review exploring the attitudes and beliefs about the medically supervised use of psychedelic drugs for the treatment of mental health conditions. Melbourne, Australia: BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University, February2023.

‍